March 30, 2023
Tulsa, OK, residents are often perplexed by odd yellow stains on their walls or clothing. The culprit may be silverfish leaving a yellow trail behind them as they crawl all over your personal space and belongings. Silverfish may not be a health hazard and may not bite, but they can cause a lot of frustration and damage over time.
Contact pest professionals for Tulsa pest control to rid your home of silverfish as soon as you notice the first sign or see the first silverfish. These pests prefer a temperature between 70 and 90 degrees, and they are nocturnal, so you will probably only see them in your home once many of them are already living with you.
How To Identify Silverfish in Tulsa
Silverfish may grow to lengths of 3/4 of an inch. They are usually silver-colored, but they may also be brown-colored. The insect’s body is relatively flat and shaped like a fish. Some people describe their body shape as a carrot or a teardrop because it is tapered from the head to the rear. They have scales, and on their rear ends, they have three bristles. On their head, they have small antennae that are no bigger than a piece of thread.
You will likely only get a quick glimpse when you see one of these insects. Big silverfish move quickly, and they are excellent climbers. Their bodies are flat so they can fit into the tiniest cracks and crevices. It can be tough to determine if you have silverfish or bugs that look like silverfish.
Three Reasons You Are Finding Silverfish In Your Tulsa Home
The top three reasons why you are seeing silverfish in Tulsa or seeing the damages caused by silverfish in your home are:
- They have found a source of food in your home.
- The humidity level in Tulsa homes is often high.
- You have water leaks or wet wood that is attracting them.
These insects eat paper items like books and wallpaper. They will chew on clothing and get into flour and oats and will also eat protein-rich things like dried beef. You see very few dead silverfish because they are cannibalistic and feed on the deceased of their species.
Silverfish Prevention Tips That You Should Be Trying
A silverfish infestation in Tulsa can be avoided through prevention techniques such as:
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in your home. These insects love moisture. They like the high humidity levels often found in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and cellars. If you have leaky pipes or wet wood in your home, repair these as soon as possible.
- Store books, magazines, and clothing in sealed containers. Often these insects are transported inside your home in cardboard boxes or containers of books and papers. If you move boxes of old documents or used books into your home, you take the risk of bringing in silverfish. If you have old documents, records, or used books that you want to store in your home, move them into plastic storage containers with airtight lids.
- Store food items the insects might like in airtight containers. Place foods like rolled oats, flour, and dried beef in plastic containers with airtight lids. Reducing food availability will help make your home less attractive to these insects.
Prevention methods to keep silverfish from moving into your Tulsa home must be accompanied by ongoing treatment methods that are proven effective. You need pest control services provided by professionals who understand the insect you are dealing with.
Why You Should Always Consider Professional Pest Control
The females lay as many as three silverfish eggs every day, depositing the eggs in cracks and crevices where they go unnoticed. The eggs will develop and hatch in three to four months if the temperature and humidity inside the home are favorable. If the temp and humidity are not just right, the eggs can lay dormant for two to three years before they hatch. The silverfish life cycle is about three years. One female can produce as many as 1,095 eggs per year, or 3,285 eggs in their lifetime.
DIY methods of elimination are ineffective. Professional pest control services use proven methods, so you are not trying one thing after another. If you believe you have a silverfish infestation, contact us at Montgomery Exterminating to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Tulsa, and let us help you get rid of these pests for good.
